Is Water The New Oil? Global h2o Consumption Doubling Every 20 Years

09/10/08  Print This Post Print This Post    1 Comment      Written by Eva Holland
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It’s a familiar story:

A finite, precious resource, long taken for granted in North America, but now coming under increased demand from the emerging middle classes of the developing world.

No, we’re not talking about oil. We’re talking about fresh water.

And what makes it even worse?

There is no leftover-from-fast-food solution to humanity’s need for hydration.

Goldman Sachs estimates that global water consumption is doubling every 20 years – a rate of growth that it describes as (duh) “unsustainable”.

More on the looming water problem, and its shorter-term impact on industry, from the Economist.

Photo by Pear Biter


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About the Author

Matador ID: deva

Eva Holland is a contributing editor to the Matador Network. She recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of quitting her day job to write and travel full time.

1 Comment... join the discussion!

  • Hal replied on September 10, 2008

    This idea scares the crap of me. And the saddest part is there are already a billion people who lack access to clean drinking water.

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